Day 1: The choir of the Seraphim

The first day of the Saint Michael the Archangel Novena petitions Saint Michael in association with the first choir of angels, the Seraphim, and asks for the grace of the fire of divine love.

The Seraphim

The Seraphim are the highest of the nine choirs of angels in the Catholic angelic hierarchy. The prophet Isaiah saw them surrounding the throne of God: "Seraphim were stationed above; each of them had six wings... and they cried one to the other: Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!" (Isaiah 6:2-3). The name seraphim in Hebrew means "the burning ones."

The Seraphim are characterized in Catholic theology by the most direct contemplation of God's holiness and the burning love that flows from that contemplation. They are the angels closest to the throne of God, the perpetual singers of the Sanctus that the Catholic Church echoes at every Mass.

The grace of Day 1

Today we ask through the intercession of Saint Michael and the Seraphim for the grace of the fire of divine love: that our cold and divided hearts may be set on fire with love of God, that what is lukewarm in us may burn, that we may love God above all things.

Prayer

Saint Michael the Archangel, by your intercession and that of the choir of the Seraphim, ask the Lord to enkindle in our hearts the fire of divine love. May we be made holy with the burning holiness of the angels who surround the throne of God.

O Lord God, fill our cold hearts with love of You above all things. Help us to love You, to seek You, and to praise You as the Seraphim do at the throne of Your majesty. Amen.

Conclude with one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and one Glory Be, and the Saint Michael Prayer.